Korea’s criminal investigative authority has stepped back from its earlier plan to carry out real-time monitoring of postings and messages among smartphone users amid a severe backlash from the public.
After being severely denounced over the past few days for its move to conduct alleged surveillance of ordinary mobile users, the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office agreed to drop the plan at a senior-level meeting on Wednesday.
“The prosecution has not been doing cybersurveillance activities. (We) also do not plan to conduct it in the future,” Choi Yoon-soo, a spokesman for the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, said during a news briefing.
Choi also dismissed rumors that the prosecution was moving to demand that Internet portals delete postings of some netizens or mobile users. “(We) have not done and would not do it (that sort of request),” he said.
Choi said, however, said the investigative agency would not scrap its plan to set up a hotline with major portals such as Naver and Daum. He argued the closer collaboration is aimed at assisting victims of defamation.
Staff members of the progressive Justice Party distribute leaflets demanding freedom of expression with yellow balloons in their protest against the Justice Ministry and prosecution’s move to monitor the online activity of mobile users in Gwanghwamun, downtown Seoul, Thursday. (Yonhap)
The prosecution, which has only focused on its plan to turn up the heat on those defaming others, has yet to unveil supplementary measures to protect the privacy of individuals.
The prosecution has not informed any individual of its monitoring of writings and messages as long as the agency did not go on to take criminal action against the individual.
“In major advanced countries, investigators are obliged to notify the individuals of their monitoring,” said Korea University professor Park Kyung-shin.
He said the Korean prosecution only notifies individuals after it decides whether or not to indict them.
Justice Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn earlier clarified that the prosecution’s move to reinforce oversight of the Internet and mobile users was in line with President Park Geun-hye’s instructions to turn up the heat on those engaging in defamation.
“(The president) ordered the prosecution to conduct an investigation into cyberlibel cases since (her) inauguration many times. The Supreme Prosecutors’ Office has reflected the president’s remarks,” Hwang said during a parliamentary hearing Monday.
Further, a media release from the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office specified that it was planning to “crack down on the spread of groundless rumors, (through) real-time monitoring and constant uncovering (of such cases).”
Opposition lawmakers denounced the prosecution for “being demoted to the (role of) warrior” of the president.
By Kim Yon-se (kys@heraldcorp.com)
